12/04/2023  Happy Valley  Race 7

HAPPY TRIO jumped awkwardly, shifted out and made contact with the hindquarters of MODEST GENTLEMAN, resulting in MODEST GENTLEMAN bumping with A AMERIC TE SPECSO. ART LITE jumped only fairly and then from a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. From a wide barrier, MELBOURNE HALL was also shifted across behind runners in the early stages. MODEST GENTLEMAN was held up making the Home Turn. For some distance approaching the 200 Metres, NOBLE ONE raced tight to the inside of HAPPY TRIO and was positioned close to the heels of STARRY NIGHT. Then near the 150 Metres, NOBLE ONE shifted out and became awkward on the heels of HAPPY TRIO. Approaching the 100 Metres, MELBOURNE HALL was eased when momentarily crowded between A AMERIC TE SPECSO and NOBLE ONE which again shifted out. HAPPY TRIO raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event. When questioned regarding his riding in the Straight, H Bowman (E UNIVERSE) stated that near the 300 Metres he endeavoured to improve into a narrow run between SAVVY CHIC and STARRY NIGHT, however, when both those runners shifted ground slightly, this resulted in E UNIVERSE being disappointed for this run and held up behind SAVVY CHIC. He added that he then elected to allow his mount to shift in in an attempt to secure a clear run to the inside of SAVVY CHIC, however, when SAVVY CHIC then shifted in slightly, he did not continue to pursue this run as he was unsure as to whether SAVVY CHIC would continue to shift in. He said as a result E UNIVERSE, which was travelling strongly at the time, became held up when positioned close to SAVVY CHIC and near the 200 Metres he was able to direct E UNIVERSE to the outside of SAVVY CHIC to obtain clear running. After the race, A Badel (A AMERIC TE SPECSO) reported that his mount enjoyed a good run in the event, but failed to respond to his riding in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of A AMERIC TE SPECSO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Also after the race, K C Leung (WIND SPEEDER) stated that from his wide barrier he was obliged to settle back in the field and after being positioned close to RIGHTEOUS ARION near the 500 Metres, WIND SPEEDER then found it difficult to make up ground in the Straight and was not suited by racing back in the field. A veterinary inspection of WIND SPEEDER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. HARMONY N HOME, HAPPY TRIO and E UNIVERSE were sent for sampling.